Abraham's Burial (Genesis 25.9): An Idyllic Burial or a Dispute over Inheritance?
Abraham's burial in Genesis 25 is traditionally viewed as a scene of reconciliation between Isaac and Ishmael. Both ancient (Jub. 22; 23; Gen. Rab. 62.3, 5) and modern exegetes understand that Genesis 25 records the acts of the father and the sons as exemplary for the generations to come: Abrah...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage
[2017]
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| In: |
Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2017, Volume: 42, Issue: 2, Pages: 177-197 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Genesis 25,9
/ Abraham, Biblical person
/ Funeral
/ Ishmael
/ Distribution of inheritance
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| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament XA Law |
| Further subjects: | B
Abraham
B burial practices B Inheritance B Ishmael B Firstborn |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Abraham's burial in Genesis 25 is traditionally viewed as a scene of reconciliation between Isaac and Ishmael. Both ancient (Jub. 22; 23; Gen. Rab. 62.3, 5) and modern exegetes understand that Genesis 25 records the acts of the father and the sons as exemplary for the generations to come: Abraham declares his will concerning his legacy before he dies, and Isaac and Ishmael, show proper filial piety
in joining together to bury their father'. Reading Abraham's story as a whole, this article argues that Ishmael's appearance in Gen. 25.9 cannot be viewed as heralding the arrival of long-awaited harmony in the pious household. Since ancient Israel and cognate cultures recognized the obligation of burying one's deceased parents as legal expectations of an heir, the deposition of Abraham in the grave by Isaac and Ishmael can be understood as a dispute over inheritance. |
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| ISSN: | 1476-6728 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0309089216677669 |